Month: February 2016

Photo shows (left to right) Aoife Reilly Croi with John Behan presenting the special bronze sculpture to Neil Johnson, Croi.

Internationally acclaimed and locally based Sculptor John Behan RHA is kindly supporting our fundraising efforts. He has specially crafted a unique bronze piece which is on sale to the highest bidder. The auction, which is part of our annual Gala Ball, will close on Friday March 11th. This special collectors item is a signed and certified once-off piece, titled ‘Championship 8’ – depicting the crew and cox of an 8 Galway rowing team. Anyone interested in placing a bid on this item should contact Aoife Reilly in Croi on 091-544310.

A 82 year old Galway City man, Vincent Browne from Renmore, Galway was honoured today (Friday February 19th) at a special ceremony held in Medtronic, Parkmore Galway – being one of 12 individuals across the world, and the first Irish person ever to receive the Bakken Award for ‘giving back’ of their time and talent for the betterment of others.

The Bakken Award is a legacy of Medtronic co-founder and humanitarian Earl Baken which connects and recognises people, who with the help of medical technology, are contributing in communities all around the world through charitable service and volunteerism. The Bakken award programme receives hundreds of nominations each year, culminating in the celebration of 10 Honorees from across the world who are recognised for their outstanding contributions.

Vincent Browne, a retired former employee of CIE Galway has had numerous cardiac health challenges in his life, including three heart attacks and being fitted with seven stents – yet for the past 18 years he has given enormously of his time and commitment to support our work as a Croi volunteer. His relentless and tireless commitment to support the work of Croi earned him a nomination for the Bakken Awards 2015 and was announced as one of 10 global winners at a special ceremony in Hawaii last month. For health reasons Vincent was unable to attend the ceremony in Hawaii, but today in Galway, Medtronic management & staff hosted a special ceremony at their Parkmore facility to honour Vincent and to present him which his award – the Bakken Medallion. A large number of Vincent’s family, relatives, friends and neighbours together with representatives from Croi and the Cardiology department at Galway University Hospital gave him a standing ovation as he received his award from Mr Jacob Gayle, Vice President, Medtronic Philantrophy.

Speaking at the ceremony, our CEO Neil Johnson said “this very significant honour for Vincent and his family is richly deserving – he is an outstanding volunteer who has overcome significant personal health challenges, yet through all of this he has shown exceptional commitment and dedication as a volunteer. He is a fine example of someone who appreciates the advances of modern medicine and who wants to give something back for the benefit of others”. Prof Kieran Daly, Consultant Cardiologist at Galway University Hospital who has been Vincent’s physician for many years recalled how “Vincent’s treatment and care mirrors the tremendous medical advances in cardiology that have taken place in Galway over the years, from the development of stent technology by companies like Medtronic, to hospital cardiology service advancement – much of which was supported by Croi and made possible through the voluntary fundraising efforts of people like Vincent Browne”

Local Pharmacy Group, McSharry Pharmacy have a strong commitment to their local community and over the past few months they have been organising numerous fundraising events in their stores network across the West of Ireland, in aid of Croi the Heart & Stroke Charity. Among the fundraising efforts of McSharry Pharmacy was participation in and completion of the New York Marathon by Group Owner Ray McSharry and his son Daniel.

Pictured at the presentation of a cheque for almost €20,000, being the proceeds from their community fundraising efforts in aid of the fight against heart disease and stroke, Photo Shows (left to right): Mairead Woolley, Ray McSharry and Caroline Murray, McSharry Pharmacy Knocknacarra with Neil Johnson Croi, Karen Kelly, McSharry Pharmacy and Chris Massi, Croi.

Big names from the world of Irish Sport like Golfer Shane Lowry and Boxer Katie Taylor will support the upcoming annual Croi Gala Fundraising Ball which takes place in the Radisson Blu Hotel Galway on Friday March 11th where signed sporting memorabilia go under the hammer to raise much needed funds in support of the fight against heart disease and stroke.

A pair of boxing gloves signed by Katie Taylor and a golf flag signed by Shane Lowry from the WGC- Bridgestone Invitational (where he held off the challenge of three major champions to claim the biggest victory of his career to-date) are among the many items which are up for sale as part of the fundraising auction which will take place on the night. With only three weeks left, tickets for this black tie event are selling fast and demand is expected to exceed availability. The Croi Gala Ball which celebrates its 31st Anniversary this year is one of the longest running charity fundraising Gala Ball’s in the west of Ireland. The evening kicks-off at 7pm with a pre-dinner reception followed by dinner at 8pm. A full programme of entertainment is planned for the night which includes special guest appearances from Lucia Evans and dance troupe Mystic Force.

Tickets and further details are available from www.croi.ie or by calling Croi on 091-544310.

Croí are gearing up for their 31st Annual Gala Ball on Friday 11th March in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Galway.

This year we are celebrating 31 years in the heart of the Community. This black-tie occasion has been described as ‘the night of the year’, and is a major fundraiser for the charity, with proceeds supporting their life-saving work in the community.

The evening kicks off at 7.00pm with a pre-dinner drinks and seafood reception, followed by a sumptuous five course meal. Special features of the evening include top class entertainment, great give-aways, a super raffle and silent auction, and dancing ’til late!

Speaking at the launch of this year’s Gala Ball, Croí’s Fundraising Events Manager Aoife Reilly commented, ‘This is our 31st year of our Fundraising Gala Ball and we are so grateful that we are supported year on year by numerous businesses and individuals in the community. This support means that we can continue to do life saving work in the west. We are really looking forward to this year’s event. It is always a fantastic night and a great fundraiser for the charity. Demand for tickets will be high, so please book early and support this great cause”.

Tickets for this Gala event are available individually or in tables of 10, 12 or more.